Page 55 - AVN November 2016

Mandingo
Home State: Mississippi | Age: 41 | Started in 1999 | Twitter: @fred_nice | Website: FredNice.com
What inspired you to pursue a career in adult film?
Strength inspired me. When I made this decision to enter the adult industry, I
was at a crossroads in my senior year in college. I had set myself on such a high
pedestal that when I didn’t achieve what I had set out for, I could not handle no
longer being in that limelight. So in order to maintain, I wanted to attach myself
to something with immediate power. I chose adult film.
I was also a quiet fan of the industry. In the early ’90s, it was Playboy’s Night
Calls and their cable videos. Also Hustler magazines and this specific scene with
Ray Victory, one of the great early black pioneers, had me very intrigued about the
adult industry. As a communications major, I learned a lot about journalism. I had
this idea of mixing African history and sex; so the name Mandingo was perfect. I
then later chose the name of my brand as FredNice; since people like to use my
actual name Fred along with Mandingo. My older industry colleagues are more
comfortable saying Fred, while the younger ones prefer Mandingo. So my studio,
FredNice, is a actually a little word play on my true first name.
So how did I go about it?
Well a lot has changed, and a lot has stayed the same. After entering the
industry in ’98 and after a few successful productions, I emailed the various
companies some production photographs, and the rest is history. A very nice
history, if I might add. I came from being a fan to actually entering the industry.
I made some strides, and I’ve received awards from the industry; to even having
a relationship with a major star to then us getting married. I’m really not the
boasting type, but I am really content with who I am and where I am. A young
man from a small town, who made it big in a tough industry, and I’m very proud
of that.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
When I started out, just trying to maintain focus was the challenging part. It’s
not easy. I compare it to professional sports. I was on quite a few larger sets in the
beginning, so to focus and getting into a zone. Similar to sports, music and acting,
focus is key. Nowadays, just mixing an adult life while being a family man can be
interesting. After entering adult, my only serious relationship is with a woman
from the industry, so we both understood each other’s day. Like entertainers of all
genres, celebrities, and sports figures, having a family and navigating a normal life
while having an enhanced career can be interesting. I recall Howard Stern talking
about this. I compare entertainers of all levels—adult, music, sports, acting—as
meta-human. We’re human with a little bit of something else. That’s why we
watch in amazement. That’s why with entertainers and celebrities there’s such
acclaim and high regard.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I get to be an example. It’s what I set out to do initially in college. I just chose
a sexier route to go about it. When you have a platform, you must represent,
especially being black. It’s reality. This is not a United States reality, this is a global
reality. This is a reality from our own global history. It runs deep. With our new
technologies, you read about black people from all over saying the exact same
thing. The work is not yet done. Blacks from all over have now achieved the global
non-judgmental “thing.” Now, we need to clean up some of our own. There’s still
black on black crime in the U.S. There’s still oppression to this day by our own in
Africa. To be able to do this job, to travel and to enjoy the perks of this job, is a
gift. And I’m fully aware that there are those who aren’t fortunate to have the gifts
that I’ve been given. Just being able to walk and to eat and to go outside and to see
and touch and feel is a gift that a lot of us take for granted. I see it every day when
I travel. I’m thankful for everything. I’m thankful for my industry embracing me.
Who are your biggest influences?
Major sports figures, actors, musicians and President Obama (I voted for him
twice even though I’m Republican) influence me quite a bit. It’s real cool when
I have some of their exact same interests. I do notice I tend to root for the very
confident and cocky ones! My family of course, from L.A. to Houston, through the
south to Atlanta, and up north to Chicago.
What is the most common misconception about adult?
That it’s easy to do. It’s not. That’s why now, more than ever, there needs to be
more appreciation for adult. With our newest technological advancements, I’ve
noticed quite a few consumers taking a lot of what we do for granted. With these
tube sites taking revenue away, there needs to be more unquestionable financial
support for actor/actress producers. If porn stars are like mutants, then tube sites
are the sentinels. Those who know this story know that didn’t end well. It’s the
same for porn, it’s only a matter of time. If you love porn, then financially support
it. People like Lance Armstrong ask for donations, raise millions, and you see how
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